• Al-Ghanim has extensive experience in the telecommunications sector and is the founder and former general manager of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and the Digital Government in the UAE
• Yang Tao: Al-Ghanim’s joining the Yalla Group Ltd. supports the company’s march towards global leadership thanks to its unlimited potential
• Osman Sultan: Yalla Group Ltd. is on its way to broad horizons of development and growth and achieving greater successes
United Arab Emirates, Dubai: Yalla Group Ltd., owner of the largest audio platform for digital entertainment and social networking in the Middle East and North Africa (NYSE: YALA), today announced the appointment of Mr. Mohammed Al-Ghanim as an independent director of the company’s board of directors after a rigorous evaluation process.
Al-Ghanim was also selected as a member of the Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee. Al-Ghanim’s appointment to his new position comes after the Board of Directors accepted the resignation of Mr. Othman Sultan from the Board of Directors membership in response to his request and his desire to focus on his other professional obligations.
Mr. Othman Sultan commented: “It has been a pleasure to work within the team of Yalla Group Ltd. and I am fully confident that the company will embark on its pioneering path towards broad horizons of development and growth and achieve greater successes that enhance its position and strong presence in the Middle East and North Africa region thanks to its capabilities Advanced technology and its huge potential.
On the other hand, Yang Tao, Chairman, and CEO of Yalla Group Ltd. praised Osman’s deep scientific knowledge in the telecom sector and his extensive leadership experience, which has added value to the company over the past two years, helping to overcome challenges and achieve tremendous growth momentum.
He added: “On behalf of the Board of Directors of Yalla Group Ltd., I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to Othman for his service and great contributions to the company, and we wish him every success in the future.”
Mohammed Al-Ghanim has extensive experience in the telecommunications sector and is the founder and former Director General of the UAE Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (“TDRA”).
During the period between 2004 and 2018, he led the authority to design and implement a regulatory framework for the telecommunications sector.
He also contributed to improving the UAE’s global competitiveness in the telecommunications sector by enhancing technical skills and developing national human capital.
Al-Ghanim held senior management positions in the technology sector, including Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Communications and Information Technology Fund from 2006 to 2009,
President of the Emirates Institute for Advanced Science and Technology from 2006 to 2009, and a member of the Board of Directors of the National Media Council from 2008 to 2010. Al-Ghanim holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with honors from Khalifa University in 1994.
He is currently a senior partner in Alpha Alliance Consulting, a member of the Board of Directors of Flash Entertainment, and a member of the Audit Committee of Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management Company.
About Yalla Group Limited
Yalla Group Limited is the leading voice-centric social networking and entertainment platform in the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA).
The Company’s flagship mobile application, Yalla, is specifically tailored for the people and local cultures of the region and primarily features Yalla rooms, a mirrored online version of the majlis or cafés where people spend their leisure time in casual chats.
Voice chats are more suitable to the cultural norms in MENA compared to video chats. The Company strives to maintain users’ equal status on its platform, thereby encouraging all of them to freely communicate and interact with each other.
The Company also operates Yalla Ludo, a mobile application featuring online versions of board games that are highly popular in MENA, such as Ludo and Domino. In-game real-time chats and Ludo chat room functions are popular social networking features among users.
Through close attention to detail and localized appeal that deeply resonates with users, Yalla’s mobile applications deliver a seamless user experience that fosters a loyal sense of belonging, creating a highly devoted and engaged user community.
